Report reveals first decrease in wrongful detention of U.S. citizens abroad in a decade, occurring in 2022

Number of Wrongfully Detained U.S. Nationals Overseas Decreases for First Time in a Decade

The number of U.S. nationals who have been wrongfully detained overseas has decreased for the first time in a decade, according to a new report released by the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation. This decline comes as the issue of Americans being unjustly imprisoned abroad has gained national attention, particularly in light of several high-profile prisoner swaps.

The report reveals that in 2022, a total of 21 U.S. nationals were released from wrongful detention, marking the highest number of such releases in a single year. The foundation has been tracking these cases since 2001. However, it is important to note that the report does not include the upcoming release of five Americans who are expected to return home as part of a deal with Iran, which also involves the lifting of a freeze on $6 billion in Iranian money.

The increase in wrongful detentions of U.S. nationals in recent years prompted President Biden to declare it a national emergency. The report states that since 2012, there has been a significant rise in the number of wrongful detentions, but after August 1, 2022, there was a 31% decrease in the number of U.S. nationals held year after year. The report cites 21 releases in 2022 and four so far in 2023.

The determination of wrongful detentions is not solely based on official designations by the State Department. The report’s author, Cynthia Loertscher, explained that the State Department’s process for making such determinations is opaque. However, both the department and the foundation consider the criteria outlined in the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, which became law in 2020.

According to the foundation, there are currently at least 53 people who are wrongfully detained. Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, stated that his office is handling around 30 to 40 cases, although it is unclear whether he was referring to wrongful detainee cases only or also included hostage cases.

The report identifies China, Iran, Russia, and Venezuela as the countries responsible for the majority of wrongful detentions. It also highlights that the releases of wrongfully detained individuals in recent years have been facilitated through various methods, not just prisoner swaps negotiated by the U.S. government.

In response to the findings, the report offers several policy recommendations, including the development of a strategy to deter wrongful detentions and a requirement for the State Department to be more transparent about whether cases have been classified as wrongful detentions.

Overall, the report highlights the significant decrease in the number of wrongful detainees over the past year, attributing it to the maturation of the U.S. hostage enterprise and the empowerment of interagency leadership. It signifies progress in the efforts to bring home Americans who have been wrongfully detained overseas.

Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-09-13 12:00:00